Advanced isometrics exerciser



22, 1967 J. v. MELCHIONA 3,337,215

ADVANCED ISGMETRICS EXERCISER Filed Oct. 29, 1964 [@MNVENTOR United States Patent 3,337,215 ADVANCED ISOMETRICS EXERCISER James V. Melchiona, 6724 Menz Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238 Filed Oct. 29, 1964, Ser. No. 407,299 1 Claim. (Cl. 27283) The present invention relates to exercising devices and is particularly directed to an exerciser that will gradaute in resistance stepwise with one continuous pull by the person exercising.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel exercising device that requires no addition of resisting means or any mechanical adjustments to increase the resistance.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exerciser that allow a person to see and feel the resistance increase.

A further object of the invention is to allow the person to warm up before exerting his maximum against the resistance means, by pulling against the weaker sections first, then graduating to an immovable, isometric contracting position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an exerciser that can be used for repetition or isometric exercising by any person weak or strong, the continuous graduated resistance allowing any person to expand it to his maximum ability, everyone using the same device.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specifications taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the preferred form of my exercising device, showing it in its relaxed state.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the device in its first functional resistance stage.

Now, with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the numerals 4 and 5 indicate the spaced apart, relatively movable elements, the handle 4 to be grasped by the hands of the person exercising, his feet to stand on the platform 5. It is understood the elements can be two handles to be held in the hands, or one end of the device wallor floor-mounted, or any other combination that causes the device to function as claimed, that is, to be extended and to thereby increase exercising resistance stepwise as the elements are forced in opposite directions. The numerals 1, 2 and 3 indicate a sectionalized resistance means comprising a set of springs of individually different resistance strengths, that is spring 1 may give a 20-lb. test resistance, spring 2 may give a 40-lb. resistance, and spring 3 a 60-lb. test resistance. These different tensioned springs are the elastic sections claimed and which compose the set that is connected end to end as indicated at numeral 6. Numeral 7 indicates a rope as the nonstretchable strip, longer than each section to which it connects at the ends.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the function of the device and the non-stretchable strip 7 as one continuous piece secured to the ends of each individual spring, the free ends attached to the elements 4 and 5.

3,337,215 Patented Aug. 22, 1967 As the handle 4 is pulled, the weakest spring 1 will expand and resist first, the non-stretchable strip 7 will straighten, stopping this section from elongating and also starting the next strongest spring 2 to expand, the set increasing in resistance stepwise as each succeedingly stronger spring is made operative until the device is fully extended and immovable. The non-stretchable strip can be individual pieces connected to the ends of each spring or one continuous piece secured to the ends of the springs to function as described.

As the generic invention intended is clear, I will not describe the many modifications possible. Other devices using elastic means of resistance rely on increasing resistance by the addition of springs or rubber strips of equal strengths and in side-by-side relationship between the handles. My means must connect end to end, must be of different strengths much beyond manufacturers tolerances to function adequately as described, and must increase resistance in the specific stepwise manner described and made possible by my construction. Stepwise signifies the small space or distance each spring resists, the degree of resistance of the unit increasing equal to the strength of each individually stronger spring as it becomes operative, the resistance increasing in a continuous manner.

The invention is not limited to the detail of construction and arrangement of parts shown in the drawings, which are merely illustrations of the preferred embodiment.

What is claimed is:

In an exercising device the combination of a pair of spaced apart, relatively movable exercising elements, a sectionalized resistance means disposed betweeen the elements, attachment means between each end of the resistance means and an element, the resistance means comprising a set of elastic, stretchable sections disposed in end-to-end relationship and each section being a coil metal spring having a different resistance strength from the other springs, interconnecting means between the ends of adjacent sections, a flexible, non-stretchable strip for each section, said strip being longer than its associated section when said section is in normal, relaxed condition, and means securing the ends of each strip to the common ends of its associated section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1886 Chamberlayne 267-73 3/1959 Piodi 43-43.72

FOREIGN PATENTS 102,725 10/1914 Sweden.

F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner. 

